About Avi Schaefer
Avi Schaefer, z''l, was born June 11, 1988 to Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer and artist Laurie Gross. Avi was raised in a loving Jewish home in Santa Barbara, California, with his brothers Noah, Yoav, and Elisha. At age 18, Avi and his identical twin Yoav volunteered to serve as combat soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces. Avi served in the army for three years, first as a soldier in a special forces unit and later going on to train some of Israel's most elite units as a counter-terrorism instructor. Upon completion of his army service, Avi returned to the United States to begin his studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
In his few months at Brown Avi quickly distinguished himself as an accomplished student and a trusted voice for Israel and for peace. Avi gracefully balanced his two passions, championing the Jewish state while simultaneously establishing deep lines of communication with students who held differing perspectives. His life and work were tragically cut short on February 12, 2010, when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver while walking near campus. In just 21 years, Avi became a living testament to the idea that one committed individual can truly make a difference. His example leaves an indelible mark on this world in the lives of the people who knew him, and the thousands more inspired by his legacy of activism and compassion. It is now the task of his family and friends to carry on the work he began.
Remembering Avi »
Updates From The Fund
Avi Schaefer Shabbat Micro Grants Available
Hillels reaching out to include Muslim students to share in a Shabbat experience are elegible for a micro grant. 27 campuses have already received micro grants and we have opened the applications up again. January 20 is the deadline to apply.
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Jerusalem Symposium 2012 at Capacity!
Due to an overwhelming response, registration for the Symposium is now closed. We have reached capacity and are only taking names for a growing wait list, now at over 70 people. Check back for live stream information (through ASF website or StandWithUs website) on January 22. We will also post an edited video of both the Jerusalem Symposium 2011 and 2012 on the ASF website in the near future.
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Leadership Colloquium
This past summer, an exciting group of 12 dedicated individuals, each one versed in the language and culture of the Israeli and Palestinian communities, helped shape the content and structure of the Leadership Colloquium co-sponsored by Brown University. Announcements just went out on the eight Ivy League campuses and small delegations will be selected from each campus.
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Jerusalem Symposium
This year’s symposium is set for January 22. It will take place at Hadassah College in Jerusalem. The topic “Redefining Zionism in the 21st Century” will provide for an outstanding day of learning and discussion for North American students currently studying in Israel.
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Avi Shabbat
In cooperation with Hillel International, we will continue to honor Avi’s memory with a Shabbat dinner in February. This year, mini grants will be available to support campuses that choose to mark Avi’s yahrtzeit with an Interfaith Shabbat program. These grants will be administered through Hillel International.
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